Solar Photovoltaics (Solar PV)

How solar PV works

Each solar cell is made from one or two layers of semiconducting material, such as silicon. When solar energy (photons) reaches each cell, it creates an electric field across the layers. The stronger the sunlight, the more electricity is produced, but solar PV can also generate energy in overcast conditions. The strength of a PV cell is measured in kilowatt peak (kWp) This is the amount of energy the cell generates in direct sunlight.

The benefits

The benefits of solar PV electricity are:

• Lowers carbon emissions: solar PV electricity is renewable once its installation’s carbon payback time is accounted for. This is the amount of time it takes to produce the amount of energy that was needed to create the system; 
• Lower fuel bills: electricity bills could be reduced by as much as £250 per year. A typical home PV system can produce almost half of the electricity needed for an average household in a year;
• Can export electricity back to the Grid: if the system is producing more electricity than needed, or when householder is not at home, someone else can use it, by exporting it by a private wire or to the Grid; and 
• Energy storage options: if a home is not connected to the grid, excess electricity can be stored in batteries. 

Solar PV certification

At micro-level under 50kW, there are Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) standards for solar PV installer companies and products. MCS installers and products are mandatory for feed-in tariffs (FITs) and installer companies must belong to a consumer code of practice. It is also possible to  complain through MCS.  Currently, there are no certification schemes equivalent to MCS. But if there were, they would also have access to FITs.

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme website has more information.

Visit: Microgeneration Certification Scheme website (external link)

There is more information about installers and MCS on our Welsh Microgeneration Network page on the left.

Grants

There are no Government grants available for solar PV.

Getting planning permission

Getting planning permission can be a barrier to householders wishing to install microgeneration technologies. You need to consult your local authority if you want to install any microgeneration technologies.

Visit the Planning Portal to find out who to speak to in your local planning authority.

Visit: Planning Portal (external link)

We have produced a set of leaflets called Generating Your Own Renewable Energy: A Planning Guide. These leaflets can help householders, communities and businesses who want to generate their own renewable energy. They provide information on what should be considered when installing a renewable energy technology, planning regulations and ways to reduce any impacts. These leaflets are available under the related links on the right

Help if you want to generate your own energy

For more information on generating your own energy, see the Energy Saving Trust's energy generation pages or call the Energy Saving Trust’s advice line on Tel 0800 512 012.

Visit: Energy Saving Trust website (external link)

Our ‘Improving your home: a climate change” guide also contains useful advice. This can be seen under the related links on the right.

Suitable Technologies

A “home energy selector” which advises on the suitability of a particular property for various technologies is available on the Generate your Own Energy pages of the Energy Saving Trust's website.

Visit: Generate your Own Energy pages of the Energy Saving Trust's website (external link)

Suitable products

For MCS certified installer and products, visit the microgeneration certification website.

Visit: Microgeneration Certification Scheme website (external link)

MCS installer companies are able to give consumers advice on specific products and impartial advice on the suitability of individual technologies. They are required under MCS standards to give accurate written estimates of likely energy outputs from a technology.